BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there is no direct information on lycopene metabolism in humans. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to quantify the long-term human bioavailability of lycopene in plasma and skin after a single dose of (14)C-lycopene and to profile the metabolites formed. DESIGN: We preselected 2 male subjects as lycopene absorbers and gave them an oral dose of 10 mg synthetic lycopene combined with 6 µg [6,6',7,7'-(14)C]lycopene (30,000 Bq; 92% trans lycopene)....